PUTRAJAYA: TVET graduates could earn up to RM4,000 in a premium salary agreement with several government-linked and private companies, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said the agreement would set premium salaries for TVET graduates of between RM2,500 and RM4,000, which are higher than the federal RM1,500 minimum wage in a bid to attract more TVET graduates to relevant sectors.
"We have established a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with employers (government-linked companies and private sector) where the premium salary exceeds the minimum wage set by the Ministry of Human Resources (MOHR).
"This will make it more appealing for TVET graduates to work in certain sectors," he said after chairing a meeting with 66 government-linked and private companies alongside 12 TVET-related ministries here today.
The companies that signed the MoA with the National Technical and Vocational Education and Training Council (MTVET) include Cypark Sdn Bhd, Penang Port Sdn Bhd, and Khazanah Nasional Bhd.
Ahmad Zahid, who also chairs the National TVET Council, emphasised that the salary determination was not based on employer associations or factory associations, but rather on an agreement between TVET institutions and companies offering the premium salary.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said MTVET had agreed to have the Malaysia Board of Technologists (MBoT) recognise Malaysian Skills Certificate (SKM) holders at levels six to eight as equivalent to a first-class bachelor's degree.
Those who graduate with SKM level eight will earn the title of Professional Technologist (Ts).
He noted that this marks a significant shift in the TVET education ecosystem.
SKM levels one and two will be equivalent to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), while SKM levels three to five will be recognised as equivalent to a diploma.
Ahmad Zahid also mentioned that individuals with SKM level five could apply for university admission without needing an SPM certificate.
Universities involved in this scheme include Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Universiti Malaysia Pahang, and Universiti Malaysia Perlis.- BERNAMA
